Yahoo Autos Formula 1 Considering a Reverse Grid for 2017
Formula 1 weirdo-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone is reportedly ready to propose that the racing series switch to a reverse-grid starting order, set to be announced at a stakeholders' meeting in Geneva on Tuesday.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told The Associated Press on Monday that the changes could go into effect as early as the 2017 season to make F1 more attractive to spectators and TV audiences.
"There's an opportunity to do it properly and come up with a great set of regulations for 2017," Horner told the AP. "Tomorrow is really a great opportunity to do something fantastic for the fans, to come up with a car that is absolutely spectacular. And I think that's what we should be aiming to do."
According to the report, points would still be awarded based on qualifying position, with the pole position earning the most points. But top qualifiers would be dropped down to the middle of the grid to promote closer racing. A similar setup is used in F1's second-tier GP2 series.
The rules change was first discussed a few months ago, Horner told the AP. Tomorrow's meeting, between teams, promoters, and the FIA, could be the last chance to pass the rules change ahead of the March 1st deadline for changes to affect the 2017 season. After that deadline, rules changes for 2017 would have to be passed by a unanimous decision from all the stakeholders, which is highly unlikely.
